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2024-2025 Faculty Award Winners: Faculty Excellence Award Winner

Dr. Traci Dingle is the award recipient for this year's Faculty Excellence Award!

Headshot of Dr. Traci Dingle

Dr. Traci Dingle is an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice with a diverse academic and professional background. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Communication, a Juris Doctorate, a Master of Science in International Administration, and a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice.
Prior to transitioning into academia, Dr. Dingle spent over a decade working in legal, governmental, and regulatory compliance roles, where she developed a strong foundation in policy, ethics, and public service. During this time, she discovered her passion for education and student development.
Today, Dr. Dingle brings real-world experience into the classroom to prepare the next generation of criminal justice professionals with practical knowledge and a sense of civic responsibility. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband, Avery, and their son, Baszol.

Teaching Philosophy

Word cloud from teaching philosophy for Dingle including words like teaching, student, and critical thinking

Word cloud generated by Copilot.

The following quotes were sent as a part of the nomination process:

“By incorporating strategies to gain deeper insights from students, Dr. Dingle has fostered a process that emphasizes accountability, transparency, and self-assessment, ultimately encouraging students to take ownership of their educational growth.” -Colleague

“She consistently goes above and beyond to create transformative events directly impacting students. One such example is her partnership with the Columbia College Social Work Association and the Criminal Justice/Pre-Law Club to host a Domestic Violence Awareness event last fall. This event was particularly meaningful as it was initiated by students. We worked alongside our students, facilitated a powerful opportunity for peers to speak about their personal experiences with domestic violence and learn about local resources available to survivors. This event not only increased awareness but also fostered a sense of community and understanding around a crucial issue.” -Colleague

“I have greatly enjoyed learning more about myself and even discovered a passion for research, which is something I was unaware of and did not have access to before. This goes to show how much of an impact Dr. Dingle has brought to myself and others. These experiences didn’t just teach me the material; they gave me confidence and skills that I will carry into my career.” -Student

“She has always seen something in me that I did not see in myself. Inside of the classroom and outside of the classroom, Dr. Dingle has always been there for students.” -Student

What is the Faculty Excellence Award?

The Faculty Excellence Award is given to a faculty member at Columbia College who exemplifies the three areas of faculty work: teaching, scholarship, and service. This prestigious award highlights those who support students and further their field's scholarship in notable ways.